What's Up!

Local favorite In the Mexican tradition The fourth annual Posada Christmas Celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Thomas Square. The event includes a procession that stops at tents filled with caroling schoolchildren and choirs, entertainment and refreshments at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Gather at 5 p.m. for the procession. $8 general, $6 children 6-12, free for kids under 6. 941-5216, 593-2226, 532-8700.

Ska/rocksters Go Jimmy Go, celebrates five years of island music-making with a concert at the South Seas Village/Hawaiian Hut at the Ala Moana Hotel. Ooklah the Moc, the roots/reggae/rock band, also will be featured; DJ Big Bear will spin out music between sets. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 15. For 18 and older. Tickets are $8. 941-5205.

HOLIDAY RUN: Dec. 15

The annual, Advertiser-sponsored Jingle Bell Run, takes off downtown at the corner of King and Alapa'i streets, near the Municipal Building. It's a benefit for the Community Clearinghouse and Special Olympics Hawaii. 6 p.m. Dec. 15. Entry fees are $30 for age 13 and older, $23 for groups of four or more, $10 for children. www.honoluluadvertiser.com/jinglebellrun, 943-8808, ext. 66. Note: A post-run party takes place from 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Kapono's, Aloha Tower Marketplace; it's open to the public.

CONCERT CANCELLATION: Dec. 15

Local promoters of a concert by international vocal star Coco Lee were forced to cancel her upcoming Honolulu concert yesterday, after the singer's management was unable to secure work visas for the show's crew. The concert, originally scheduled for Dec. 15, at the Waikiki Shell will not be rescheduled.

CONCERT: Dec. 16

Musical favorites Ho'okena, again this year will offer Island sounds to get you in the mood for Christmas. "Home for the Holidays" is the title of a concert at the Hawai'i Theatre, featuring guest stars Nani Dudoit, singer Keali'i Reichel, musicians Kit Ebersbach and Noel Okimoto, and the swinging Zanuck Lindsey & Ginai of Hula Joe and the Hutjumpers. 6 p.m. Dec. 16. $25-$35, at the box office. 528-0506.

BRUNCH: Dec. 16

The monthly Brunch on the Beach, takes on a "Christmas for the Keiki" theme this time, among the artificial grass, big blue umbrellas, entertainment and food on Kalakaua Avenue between Ka'iulani and Lili'uokalani avenues in Waikiki. Entertainers include the Honolulu Boy Choir, Halau Hula O Hokulani and the Society of Seven Las Vegas. Brunchers are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program; drop them off at the stage. As usual, restaurants will offer food to brunch on. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 16 (scrip for food will be sold beginning at 9:30 a.m.). Admission is free. 523-CITY (2489). (And don't forget the Sunset on the Beach events each Saturday and Sunday — 4-9 p.m. — that offer a free movie each night and food sold by scrip.)

STAGE: Dec. 19-30

"Slava's Snowshow," created by the Russian clown Slava Polunin and "snow," has a 14-show run at the Hawai'i Theatre. Opening night — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, $25 all seats — is a benefit for Hawaii Foodbank. The rest of the schedule:

• Dec. 20, 21: 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 22: 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 23, 24: 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 26: 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 27, 28: 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 29: 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 30: 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $40 and $55 general, $25 and $35 children, students, seniors, military; discount for Hawai'i Theatre members; at the box office. 528-0506; 732-7733 for group discounts.

CONCERT/FILM: Dec. 21

Jack Johnson, athlete/musician/filmmaker whose debut compact disc is titled "Brushfire Fairytales," performs at World Cafe. He will also screen his surfing film, "The September Sessions." Johnson was born and raised in Hawai'i and is a former pro surfer. 8 p.m. Dec. 21; doors open 7 p.m. It's an all-ages show. $15, on sale at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video Ke'eaumoku, Cheapo Music, Hungry Ear, military outlets, Ticket Plus (526-4400). 599-4450, 947-3633.

CONCERT: Dec. 21

Alicia Keys, a rising superstar whose debut album "Songs in A Minor" has been a chart-topper for months, comes to Honolulu for a concert at World Cafe.

Midnight Dec. 21 (doors open at 10 p.m.); those 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. $15, available at World Cafe, Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video Kapi'olani, Cheapo Music (Puck's Alley, Pearl Kai), Hungry Ear Kailua, military bases, charge by phone at 585-2877.

CONCERT: Dec. 28

Comic Howie Mandel returns to Honolulu for a stand-up gig at the Monarch Room of The Royal Hawaiian hotel. 7 p.m. Dec. 28. $35, available at Ticket Plus outlets and the Blaisdell box office. 526-4400.

CONCERT: Dec. 29

Ska/punk/popsters Dance Hall Crashers will head for Honolulu for an all-ages concert at World Cafe. 7 p.m. Dec. 29 (doors open 6 p.m.). $16.50 advance; at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video, Cheapo Music (Puck's Alley, Pearl Kai), Hungry Ear Kailua, Pearl Harbor Bloch Arena, Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, University of Hawai'i -Manoa Campus Center, Ticket Plus outlets. 526-4400.

CONCERT: Dec. 31

Show biz veteran James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," is heading this way for a New Year's Eve celebration at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom. Among Brown's hits are "I Got You (I Feel Good)," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "Living in America." 10:45 p.m. Dec. 31; doors open at 9 p.m. with an as-yet-unannounced opening act. Tickets go on sale Dec. 10: $150 for platinum seating, $125 for gold seating, $100 for silver seating and $85 for general seating; admission includes one cocktail, champagne, party favors; 10 percent discount for military with ID for all price levels. 949-4321.

COMING UP:

• "A Prairie Home Companion," Jan. 5, Hawai'i Theatre
• Earth, Wind & Fire, Jan. 5-6, Blaisdell Arena
• The Makaha Sons, Hana Hou! Hawaiian Music Series concert, Jan. 11, Hawai'i Theatre
• Jacques Thibaud Trio, Jan. 12, UH-Manoa's Orvis Auditorium
• Salsa 2002, concert and salsa dance showcase, Jan. 12, Hawaiian Hut at South Seas Village, Ala Moana Hotel
• Henry Kapono and Robi Kahakalau, with the Honolulu Symphony, Jan. 18-19, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Verdi's "La Traviata," by Hawaii Opera Theatre, Feb. 1, 3 and 5, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Strauss' "Salome," by Hawaii Opera Theatre, Feb. 15, 17 and 19, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Bizet's "Carmen," by Hawaii Opera Theatre, March 1, 3, 5 and 7, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Sarah Chang & Tchaikovsky's "Winter Dreams," with the Honolulu Symphony, March 24, 26, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Keali'i Reichel, a Honolulu Symphony Pops concert, April 12-13, Blaisdell Concert Hall

Submit information for The Great Index to Fun (TGIF) four-week guide at least 10 working days before the event. This planner appears weekly, featuring major events only; others are listed in the weekend and daily calendars.

Write: TGIF, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802, or fax 525-8055.

Schedule is subject to change.